KERBSIDE collections and recycling sites in Somerset are expecting festive fun to lead to about 2,700 more tonnes of extra recycling and rubbish in January than in December.

That is a 17 per cent rise and the equivalent to 6,000 polar bears let loose or 100 rubbish trucks stacked on top of each other.

Christmas cheer is set to bring an extra 720 tonnes of glass, 110 tonnes of cans and 125 tonnes of plastic bottles, 560 tonnes of paper and card from wrapping, gift boxes and Christmas cards, and 650 tonnes of rubbish, but leftover eating leaves only an extra 230 tonnes of food waste.

With a total of 18,500 tonnes of recycling and rubbish to shift, not counting garden waste, people are reminded that festive waste collections will be two days later after Christmas, including Friday collections on Sunday, and one day later after New Year. Key dates for kerbside collections (usual day first, revised day second): Wednesday, December 25 – Friday, December 27; Thursday, December 26–Saturday, December 28; Friday, December 27 – Sunday, December 29; Monday, December 30 – no change; Tuesday, December 31 – no change; Wednesday, January 1 – Thursday, January 2; Thursday, January 2 – Friday, January 3; Friday, January 3 – Saturday, January 4; Monday, January 6 – usual services resume.

Prioritising all that recycling and rubbish means that, as usual, garden waste collections are suspended over Christmas with collections resuming on Monday, January 6.

A Somerset Waste Partnership spokesman said: “Thousands of tonnes of extra recycling and rubbish is tough to handle but our hard-working collection crews and recycling site staff do a great job. Please help them by sorting everything carefully before you put it in your recycling box, and taking large amounts of any materials – especially cardboard – to your local recycling centre.”

January sales and Christmas presents result in more items taken to recycling sites in January, including an extra 53 tonnes of fridges and freezers, 52 tonnes of cookers and washing machines, 17 tonnes of kettles, toasters and other small electricals, and 13 tonnes of televisions replaced to better see all the repeats.

People are reminded that many retailers offer take-back schemes when a new electrical item is purchased, and many re-use organisations and other charities welcome white goods and other electricals in good condition.

All recycling sites will be open 9am-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays on December 28-29 and January 4-5. All sites are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day – check when your local site is open at www.somersetwaste.gov.uk